Abstract

FELDBERG, Carolina et al. Occupational complexity and household work and its relationship with cognitive performance in older adults, women and men. Rev. psicodebate: psicol. cult. soc. [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.2, pp.25-42.  Epub Dec 01, 2023. ISSN 2451-6600.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18682/pd.v23i2.7072.

The aim of this study has been, first of all, to describe and compare the characteristics of occupation in paid work and household spheres of a group of elderly subjects, men and women. In a complementary way, occupational complexity and the complexity of household tasks and their relationship with various cognitive domains in subjects of both genders were analyzed. 146 participants, 51 Men and 95 Women, were assessed with: occupational activity and housework questionnaire and a neuropsychological evaluation battery for episodic verbal memory, naming, verbal fluency, auditory-verbal working memory, semantic memory, and visuoconstruction. The results show significant differences between men and women in occupational complexity, in favor of men. In housework, women performed more complex activities than men. Regarding complexity in household chores, these show moderate effects on some aspects related to executive functions in both men and women. Occupational complexity showed favorable effects in both genders, especially in: cognitive flexibility, reasoning with verbal material, and vocabulary. The results obtained add valuable information regarding occupation and gender. According to the results obtained in men and women who work and carry out household tasks, it would seem that the latter would benefit more because they obtain stimulation from the workplace and the domestic sphere. These results point out the benefit that social participation has regarding cognitive functioning for the construction of cognitive reserve

Keywords : aging; cognitive performance; gender; household activities; occupational complexity.

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